Kana From Hell: Part Ten

 

It was when they disembarked from the boat that Kana was struck with a feeling of dread. 

She was putting her trust and her safety in the hands of two people she had known for hardly a day. 

Nevertheless, it wasn't like she had a choice. Her mother was dead. Michi was dead. Her father, the one who had raised her and the one who had given her life, were both alive and wanted nothing to do with her. 

She felt a pang of loneliness and suddenly felt herself falling.

"Watch out!" Toshihiro cried out. 

Kana felt her arm being forcefully grabbed. She let out a breath of relief.

"Careful, now." 

She turned to see Ren holding her. She straightened herself but his touch still lingered. 

"I am alright," Kana said sharply. 

Ren let go. His face was still covered but she could sense he was smiling. 

She walked ahead and then paused momentarily when she saw a dense forest ahead. She noticed Toshihiro also standing and gazing up.

"Are we supposed to enter the forest? Or is there another way around to where we have to go?"

Toshihiro shook his head. "The glove maker lives within the forest. We must enter."

Kana was enveloped by an ominous feeling but she still ventured in with her elderly companion. Behind her, she could hear Ren's footsteps. 

She wished she didn't feel nervous around him but she did. He looked like a man with secrets, really dangerous secrets.

They traveled in silence for a while. The sun had risen hours ago and it was noon, yet the canopy of trees in the forest shielded all light. It got darker the further they went in until Ren finally arranged for a torch. 

"Where to, old man?" He asked. 

Toshihiro made an annoying sound. "We can find our way. We can part ways now."

Ren turned around. "It would be considered bad manners to leave an elderly man and a young woman all alone in these parts. Besides, I will rest easy knowing you both have safely reached your destination." 

Kana noticed Ren watching her intently and looked away. She was taken aback by his sudden kindness but then pushed her concerns to the side. Perhaps he had decided to be a gentleman after all. 

"That will not be necessary," Toshihiro said curtly. 

"I absolutely insist. Now, which direction are we headed to?"

Toshihiro made to protest again and Kana bent down to place a hand on him. "Let us see what he is up to?"

"No good. That is what he is up to." But Toshihiro no longer argued and even proceeded to tell Ren the directions. 

Kana kept her wits about. Now that she was a target to the yokai, she readied herself for any attacks. She may not trust Ren entirely but at least he had a weapon. And Toshihiro had magic, even if they were diminishing. 

She heard a hiss and stilled. Ren was beside her in an instant. "It is only a snake." 

The hiss was louder this time and she instinctively grabbed Ren's hand. He placed a hand over her. 

"If it troubles you so much..." he removed his sword and slashed the air in front of her.

Kana gasped and then let out a startled cry when she heard something fall on the ground. 

The torch showed the dissected body of a snake. 

"Do you feel better now?" Ren asked kindly. 

"It was right near me. It would have bitten me, poisoned me..."

"It did none of these things."

Toshihiro hobbled towards them and frowned at Ren who made a soft chuckling sound. 

"Let's go ahead, shall we?" Toshihiro said.

"Sure. Once this pretty lady leaves my hand, of course," Ren teased.

Kana immediately let go of his hand. 

They continued deeper into the forest until they reached a small hut.

Kana blinked when she saw the walls. There were ancient symbols engraved on the wood which glowed. The plants around it were lush and green. The roof was made of branches and ornaments were hanging from the corners. She noticed the same symbols on what she realized were talismans.

Toshihiro was the first to enter after which Ren gestured politely for her to follow. She entered and saw dozens of lanterns all around the room. And then she was struck with the onslaught of various odors, all of them making her nose wrinkle.

She coughed once as she moved ahead to a desk at the end of the room. 

There was a man there, stooped over his books and scribbling something with a bright red quill. He wore a deep red cloak with writings on them. Upon closer inspection, she realized they were in an ancient language.

The man looked up as she approached. She sucked in a breath. His face was long and wrinkled. His white hair was thin yet long and fell over both shoulders. One of his eyes was closed while the other was a bright yellow orb.

"What?" He asked gruffly.

Kana stepped back, suddenly fearful of the man. In the past few hours, she had encountered several yokai. Could he be one too? 

"Down here," Toshihiro announced.

The man looked down and a smile spread across his face, revealing eight yellow, slightly large teeth. 

"Toshihiro."

"Kuro."

"Where have you been old friend? And what has become of you?" Kuro asked.

"It's a long story. I want a glove. The special kind."

Kuro's smile contracted. He looked sour. Then his gaze turned to Kana and Ren.

"Which one?" He leaned closer and sniffed. "It's the girl?"

"Yes," Toshihiro replied.

Kuro leaned back and tapped his long fingers on the desk. He studied Kana with one eye and she thought she saw his eye color change. 

"She is accursed."

"I'll pay you well," Toshihiro said.

"You are going to a lot of trouble for her. What is she to you?"

Toshihiro paused and Kana glanced at him nervously. She should have been asking this question herself. Just why was he helping her? 

"A girl in trouble who needed help. And I need yours. I need a glove for her hand."

"I don't have enough material left. It's been a while since someone requested a special glove from me."

Toshihiro frowned. "There must be several of those creatures around. Just catch one and..."

"In case you haven't noticed, I am old and almost blind. I cannot hunt them anymore."

"Hunt what?" Kana inquired.

Ren stepped forward. "There's a river nearby. It's quite famous for being a habitat to the Kappa. That is who you want, right?"

Kuro scoffed. "You are right. But..."

"They are fairly easy to catch," Ren bragged. He turned to Kana. "The Kappa have a depression on their heads that is filled with water. Remove the water and they are unable to move. Besides they are barely threatening. Very docile creatures and polite. They can..."

"As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted," Kuro almost bellowed.

Kana was startled. The man before him looked so fragile she hadn't imagined him to possess such a powerful voice.

"They have evolved. Become intelligent. They have become wise to this ruse. They now use metal plates to protect themselves and prevent the water from falling. And as for them being docile," Kuro scoffed again. "They have been known to viciously attack anyone who ventures into the river."

"Then how will we catch one?" Kana asked.

Kuro shrugged. "I cannot help you. Bring its skin and I can make you your glove that will conceal you from other yokai."

Ren tapped her arm. "Let's just leave. I'll help you get the Kappa. They may have evolved, but they are no match for my katana."

Kana looked at him doubtfully but followed him out nevertheless.

"We need to talk afterward," Kuro told Toshihiro. 

Toshihiro nodded. "We will. After I bring you a Kappa."